Doctor Who inspired knitting – more than just a scarf

For those who don’t know, Doctor Who is a wildly popular BBC sci-fi series which began in the early 1960’s and was resurrected in 2005. The Doctor is a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey and he travels around time and space in a ship called the TARDIS which is cleverly disguised as a big blue police call box. He has the ability to regenerate himself and has been played by eleven actors over the years (twelve if you count the awful movies in the mid-60’s starring Peter Cushing, but many Whovian’s prefer to pretend that those don’t even exist).

TARDIS - Time And Relative Dimensions In Space

For those who are familiar with the series, you may also be familiar with the iconic scarf as worn by actor Tom Baker as the fourth “regeneration” of the Doctor in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The scarf itself is the subject of just about as many legends as the Doctor himself and there are many variations on the colors in the scarf as well as variations on length.

Tom Baker as the Doctor sporting the famous scarf

But try this. Go to the pattern search on Ravelry, type in Doctor Who and hit the search button. Ravelry will return over 150 patterns ranging from toys, doilies, hats, socks, iPad/e-reader/laptop sleeves, and more. And yes, many different versions of the famous scarf. Here are some of the highlights. The Ood ski mask is my favorite, but I’ll have to learn to crochet to make it.

TARDIS Kindle Case by Americanwitch

Extermaknit! – knit Daleks pattern by Penwiper

An enormous TARDIS afghan by Carrie Fritsche

Ood Ski Mask Crochet Pattern by Lilana Wofsey Dohnert

If you want more than just knitting projects, search around on ebay or Amazon for a copy of the Doctor Who Pattern book which was originally published in 1984. Used copies are occasionally available.

Knitting, sewing, and more!

I scored a copy several years ago at the Schenectady County Public Library’s annual used book sale. There are some knitting patterns, including the scarf, as well as some sewing patterns for a TARDIS sleeping bag, K9 shoulder bag, and some fun (although dated) garments inspired by characters from the show.

For knitters who are also fans of the series, or who would like to knit something for someone who is, there is SO much more than just a scarf. There’s a whole Whoniverse of projects to choose from. Have fun!